JP2003022189A - Distributed network computing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a system capable of accessing necessary data in a server computer even when an application is not installed in a user information terminal. SOLUTION: An information processor 003 and an information terminal 001 mutually connected through a network 002 are respectively provided with mobile agent servers 011, 011a for providing service including means for moving mobile agents 010, 010a for storing and transferring application software and data between the processor 003 and the terminal 001 while holding the security of these data. The processor 003 is provided with a means for providing application software and data for providing service in the terminal 001 to the mobile agent to be executed by the mobile agent server and the terminal 001 is provided with a means for dynamically installing and executing the application software provided from the processor 003 in the mobile agent server.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to distributed network computing composed of a server computer, a fixed type information terminal device used indoors, and a mobile type information terminal device mainly used outdoors. In the system, by realizing the access to the server computer via the network by the mobile agent, even if the network to which the information terminal device is connected is unstable outdoors, the information terminal device is stable as in the indoor environment. And the function of dynamically installing an application that requires data reference on a server computer by a mobile agent, thereby realizing a reference function of any data in an information terminal device. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 14 shows, for example, JP-A-11-26534.
It is a figure which shows the conceptual structure of the conventional distributed network computing system shown by the 7th publication. In the figure, 1401, 1401a and 1401b are information terminal devices used outdoors (outside the office) that can be connected to the network 1404 by public telephones, mobile phones, or the like. 1402
Is client software such as a browser used when the user of the information terminal device 1401 accesses a network such as the Internet. Reference numeral 1403 is a local agent program for connecting to the network instead of the user when accessing the network 1404 from the information terminal device 1401.

Reference numeral 1404 is a network infrastructure (communication network) such as the Internet. 1405
Is a server computer that is an information processing device installed indoors (in an office). This indoor server computer 1405 is connected to the network 1404. Also, the server computer 1405 is the access unit 1
406, security unit 1407, applied function conversion unit 14
08, an application service providing unit 1409 and a remote agent 1410 are internally provided.

Reference numerals 1411a and 1411b are information terminal devices used in the office. Further, a CD-ROM device 1412 as an external storage device for storing various application program information and data, a hard disk device
An (HDD) 1413 and a floppy (registered trademark) disk device (FDD) 1414 are connected.

Next, the operation will be described. The user of the information terminal device 1401 tries to refer to the data of the server computer 1405 using the WWW server. If the user does not use the remote agent 1410,
Alternatively, when there is no problem in the network 1404 and is normally connected indoors, the user directly connects to the server computer 1405 from the WWW browser 1402 and refers to the data.

[0006] When the information terminal is outdoors, the network is unstable because it is connected by, for example, a mobile phone, or when communication is cut off to keep the connection cost low and the network is not always connected to the network. There is a description of this. The user uses the WWW browser or other client software 1402 to execute the server computer 140.
Try to refer to the data in 5. Information terminal device 1401
When the client software 1402 is not connected to the network 1404, the client software 1402 inputs information regarding the access request to the local agent 1403. The local agent 1403 automatically connects to the network by, for example, making a phone call, connects to the server computer 1405, and further connects to the server computer 14.
05 establishes a connection to the remote agent 1410.

When the connection is established, the local agent 1403 acquires user information such as the login name of the user operating the information terminal 1401 if necessary,
The user information and the information input from the client software 1402 are encrypted, and the server computer 1405 encrypts the information.
Send to the remote agent 1410 above. The remote agent 1410 passes the transmitted contents to the access unit 1406, and the security unit 1407 decrypts the contents. The remote agent 1410 receives the decrypted contents, and if necessary, uses the user information to perform access authentication such as login to the server computer 1405.

When the login is successful, the remote agent 1410 acquires data from the server computer 1405 based on the access request information sent from the local agent 1403 of the information terminal 1401 and encrypts it with the security unit 1407 if necessary. And sends it back to the local agent 1403. The local agent 1403 decrypts the transmitted data, if necessary, and then the client software 1
It is passed to 402 and displayed to the user.

Thus, even when the user of the information terminal uses an unstable network such as a wireless network or a telephone line outdoors, there is no need to reconnect to the network such as making a call every time the server computer is accessed. Moreover, since it is not necessary to perform authentication processing such as login to the server computer, it is possible to operate the information terminal in the same situation as when operating the information terminal indoors.

[0010]

In the conventional distributed network computing system configured as described above, since only the data is exchanged between the local agent of the information terminal device and the remote agent of the server computer, the data is exchanged in advance. It was necessary to install application software required for data reference in the information terminal device.

Further, the data is merely downloaded from the server computer to the information terminal, and there is no means for grasping the usage status of the application. Also,
When a failure or function expansion occurs in the application software and the version of the application software is upgraded, the system administrator or user must re-install the application software of every information terminal. However, there was a problem that the maintenance cost of

In the currently popular Internet system, when the user refers to the data that is not installed in the information terminal device, it is necessary to download the application software through the network and obtain it before the installation. there were. This procedure not only complicates the procedure for the user, but also requires the user to find application software suitable for the information terminal used by him / herself and able to refer to the data on the network, or to register appropriately before using. It may be necessary to process the payment of the amount. Even if the application software can be obtained, it may fail due to lack of computer resources or mismatch of OS and equipment when installing.

Further, even if the version of the application software is upgraded, it is not automatically notified, and it is necessary for the user to confirm whether or not the version of the application software is upgraded. Also,
Such application software can
In many cases, it is provided by a third party other than (Content), and it is the user's responsibility to decide whether or not the application can be used with peace of mind. Judgment is difficult, and there is a possibility of installing a malicious application and causing trouble.

Furthermore, the installed application software consumes resources such as a hard disk. When the application software installed to effectively use the resources is no longer needed, it is necessary for the user to perform the uninstall process.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in a distributed network computing system, even when an information terminal such as outdoors is in an unstable network, the same as an indoor information terminal. In addition to realizing the operation, a mobile information terminal used outdoors or a user irrelevant to the organization that provides the server computer such as the Internet can use the data in advance.
It is an object to provide a distributed network computing system having a function of installing application software and referencing data when necessary even if the application software necessary for referring to (contents) is not installed. And

Further, by monitoring the actual usage status of the application software, the system can acquire the actual usage information of the application and perform billing according to the usage status, and the application software can be dynamically installed and unloaded. By installing it, we provide a system that reduces the maintenance work of application software for information terminals.

[0017]

In view of the above object, the present invention provides a service in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device that provides various application software and data services via a communication network. In the distributed network computing system, the information processing device and the information terminal device are each provided with a mobile agent server for providing the service, and the mobile agent server,
A means for securely moving a mobile agent that stores and transfers the application software and data between the information processing device and the information terminal device, and provides a service to the information processing device by the information terminal device. Means for providing application software and data for a mobile agent executed by the mobile agent server to dynamically provide application software provided from the information processing apparatus by the mobile agent server to the information terminal device. A distributed network computing system, characterized in that it has means for installing and executing.

A distributed network computing system in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device that provides various application software and data services via a communication network, and receives the service. The information processing device and the information terminal device are each provided with a mobile agent server for providing the service, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent that stores and transfers the application software and the mobile agent, and transfers the mobile agent to the information processing device and the information terminal device. In order to provide a service to the information processing device by the information terminal device, including means for moving the device with security between them, and including means for monitoring the execution of application software by the mobile agent. A means for providing application software and data to the mobile agent executed by the mobile agent server is provided, and the application software provided by the information processing apparatus by the mobile agent server is provided in the information terminal device by the execution monitoring means. A distributed network computing system, characterized in that means for dynamically installing, executing, and dynamically uninstalling based on information are provided.

A distributed network computing system in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device that provides various application software and data services via a communication network, and the service is provided. The information processing device and the information terminal device are each provided with a mobile agent server for providing the service, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent that stores and transfers the application software and the mobile agent, and transfers the mobile agent to the information processing device and the information terminal device. The mobile agent includes means for moving the application software with security between them, means for monitoring the execution of the application software by the mobile agent, and means for storing an execution history, A means for dynamically installing and executing application software provided from the information processing device by the agent server based on the information of the execution monitoring means and further dynamically uninstalling the software is provided in the information processing device. A means for providing application software and data for providing a service in the information terminal device to the mobile agent executed in the mobile agent server, and a usage status of the application software service in the information terminal device through the mobile agent. And means for storing,
A distributed network computing system characterized by the above.

A distributed network computing system in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device that provides various application software and data services via a communication network, and receives the service, A mobile agent server for providing the service is provided in each of the information processing device and the information terminal device, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent that stores and transfers the application software including version information and transfers the mobile agent. And a means for moving the information terminal device with security, the application software and data for providing a service in the information terminal device to the information processing device, and the mobile age. Application software provided by the information processing device in the mobile agent server to the information terminal device, and a means for providing the latest version, if any, based on the version information to the mobile agent executed by the mobile agent server. In the distributed network computing system, a means for updating the application software by dynamically installing the software is provided.

A distributed network computing system in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device providing various application software and data services via a communication network to receive the service, The information processing device and the information terminal device are each provided with a mobile agent server for providing the service, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent that stores and transfers the application software and the mobile agent, and transfers the mobile agent to the information processing device and the information terminal device. A means for moving with security between the information terminal device and means for dynamically installing application software provided from the information processing device by the mobile agent server, Means for providing the information processing device with application software and data for providing a service by the information terminal device to a mobile agent executed by the mobile agent server; and means for monitoring the update of the application software. Means for registering the information terminal device using the application software, and when the application software is updated in the information processing device, the mobile agent previously installed in the information terminal device. And a means for updating the application software that is installed in the distributed network computing system.

The distributed network computer system according to the present invention moves between information terminal devices and information processing devices via a network, and executes a program at a destination, and a mobile agent executing means and application software by the mobile agent. Is provided, and a function for dynamically realizing an installation function of application software is provided.

Further, means for monitoring the execution of the application software and means for providing the mobile agent with information regarding the user, the application software, and the information terminal device executing the application software are provided, and the usage data of the application software is acquired. It realizes functions and automatic version upgrade function.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below according to each embodiment. Embodiment 1. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distributed network computing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 001, 001a, 001
Reference numeral b denotes a mobile (mobile) type information terminal device such as a PC, a PDA, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone used by a general user, 002
Is a network infrastructure (communication network) such as the Internet, and 003 is a server computer which is an information processing device which is accessed by the information terminal device 001 via the network 002 and provides data thereto.

In the information terminal device 001 or the like, 004 is information terminal device information (information terminal information) indicating the model, OS, user, etc. of the information terminal device, and 005 is a file on the server computer 003 by a user such as a WWW browser. Client software for searching and referring to 006, an application search unit 006 for searching for an application installed in the information terminal 001, 007 a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk in the information terminal 001,
Reference numeral 008 is application software installed in the storage device 007.

Reference numeral 009 is application software running on the information terminal device, 010 and 010a of the server computer 003 are mobile agents that autonomously move between computers (information terminal device and information processing device) and execute their own programs, 011 and 011a of the server computer 003 are mobile agents 01.
It is a mobile agent server that provides an environment for executing 0,010a. In addition, for convenience of explanation,
Mobile agent server 01 of information terminal device 001
Although the detailed configuration inside 1 is not shown in the figure, the mobile agent server 011 of the information terminal device 001 and the mobile agent server 01 of the server computer 003 are shown.
1a has basically the same configuration.

Reference numeral 012 of the mobile agent 010 is an application installation means for the mobile agent 010 to install an application program (software) in the installation format, and reference numeral 013 is an area for the mobile agent 010 to temporarily store various data. It is a container.

Numeral 014 of the server computer 003 is data (content) that the user accesses from the information terminal device 001 by using the browser 005, 015 is application software in an installed format, and 016 is a list of information regarding the application software 015. Application information, 017 is an application software database containing application information 015 in the installed format and information (data) 014 corresponding to it, and application information 016.

018 is a mobile agent server 0
A security unit that authenticates the information terminal device of the issuer of the mobile agent 010a by encrypting / decrypting the mobile agent 010a and the container 013a by a part of 11a and digitally signing the mobile agent 010a that moves. , 019 indicates that the mobile agent server 011a has an application software database 017 and data (content) 014.
An access unit 020 used to access the mobile agent server 011a is a part of the function of the mobile agent server 011a, and saves the execution state of the mobile agent 010a that is being executed or reliably moves the mobile agent 010a to another information terminal device. It is an agent continuation part with a function.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the system according to this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The user accesses the server computer 003 by using the browser 005 of the information terminal device 001 and the data (content) 01 such as a file on the server computer 003.
4, the data to be accessed is determined (step S201).

When the data to be accessed is determined, the information necessary for referring to the data, such as the file extension and the data type, is passed to the application detection unit 006. The application detection unit 006 searches for application software 008 already installed in the storage device 007 in the information terminal device 001 based on the information of the data (step S202). If the application shiftware required for referring to the data is already installed, step S203.
Then branch to YES. Further, it is determined whether the information terminal device 001 is connected to the network (step S220). If connected, only the data 014 is downloaded from the server computer 003 as usual (step S230) and the application is executed (step S231).

In step S220, if the information terminal device 001 is not connected to the network 002, or if the connection is unstable due to wireless connection or the like, the browser 005 notifies the mobile agent server 011. The mobile agent server 011 generates the mobile agent 010 and stores the format of the data (content) 014 for accessing the container 013 (step S221).

The generated mobile agent 010 operates the information terminal device 001 to establish a connection to the network 002 if necessary, and then the security of the mobile agent server 011 (same configuration as the mobile agent server 011a of the server computer 003). After being encrypted by the unit 018, the agent continuation unit 020 confirms the connection with the mobile agent server 011a of the server computer 003, and then moves to the server computer 003 (step S222).

The mobile agent 010a that has moved to the server computer 003 is
After being decrypted by the security unit 018 of the mobile agent server 011a of No. 3, the necessary data 014 is copied to the container 013a (step S223), encrypted again including the container 013a by the security unit 018, and then the information terminal Move to device 001 (step S
224). After the mobile agent 010 that has moved is decrypted by the security unit 018, the user can refer to the data by passing the data of the container 013 to the application 009 (step S22).
5).

In step S203, when the application corresponding to the data is not installed in the information terminal device 001, the application detection unit 006 causes the mobile agent server 0 in the information terminal device 001 to operate.
11 is notified. The mobile agent server 011 generates a mobile agent 010, and passes information indicating the type of data, for example, a file extension to the generated mobile agent 010 (step S2).
05). The mobile agent 010 copies the data type and the information terminal device information 004 to the container 013,
Move to server computer 003 (step S20)
6).

When the mobile agent 010 moves, the mobile agent server 0 of the information terminal device 001
Mobile agent 0 in the security section 018 of 11
Every 10 containers 013 are encrypted. The encrypted agent is decrypted by the security unit 018 of the mobile agent server 011a of the server computer 003. This prevents the contents of the mobile agent 010 and the container 013 from being changed or illegally copied by a third party while the mobile agent 010 is moving on the network 002.

The sender of the agent can be specified by digitally signing the mobile agent server 011 on the information terminal device 001 and the mobile agent server 011a on the server computer 003. For example, the data of the information terminal device is destroyed. It is possible to prevent unauthorized access in which an attacking program such as the one described above can be sent from a third party.

The mobile agent 010a moved to the server computer 003 is the server computer 003.
The application software database 017 is referred to to search for application software 015 that matches the type of data carried from the information terminal device 001 using the application information 016 (step S
207), application 01 required for data reference
5 and data (content) 01 on the server computer 003 that the user intends to use on the information terminal device 001
4 is stored in the container 013a (step S208).
The application information 016 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
D, the name of the application, the type of the corresponding data (content), and the type of the corresponding information terminal device that the application can execute, and the data (content) 014 that the mobile agent 010a accesses.
Depending on the type of application, the required application software 0
It is possible to search for 15.

In the server computer 003, the data (content) 0 newly provided to the information terminal device 001
If the application software 015 and the application information 016 necessary for referring to the data (content) 014 do not exist in the application software database 017 when 14 is registered, the application software 015 and the application information 016 are stored in the application software 015. Database 0
Register in 17. This allows data (content)
The application 015 required to refer to 014 can be always retrieved by the mobile agent 010a.

Required application software 01
The mobile agent server 011a of the server computer 003 which retrieves and stores the information such as 5 is the information terminal device 00
Move to 1 (step S212).

The mobile agent 010, which has moved to the information terminal device 001, installs the carried application software 009 so that it can be executed on the information terminal device 001 (step S213). When the installation is completed, the installed application software is activated (step S214) and the brought-back data is provided to the user (step S215).

Even if the installation fails due to some problem such as lack of resources or model incompatibility, the mobile agent autonomously executes the program at the moving destination, accesses the information terminal device 001, and autonomously executes the data. Has the function of collecting. With the function of the mobile agent 010, it is possible to solve the cause of the installation failure autonomously at the destination and execute the installation again.

For example, the application software 009 which is going to install is the information terminal device 001.
If it does not match the model of the information terminal device 001
The OS and model information of the above are acquired from, for example, the information terminal information 004, moved to the server computer 003 again, the necessary application software 015 is searched, and the information terminal device 001 is returned to to perform the installation again. Alternatively, when a memory shortage occurs, the information terminal device 00
One user can be prompted to terminate an unnecessary application, or an unused application can be temporarily terminated and the installation can be re-executed. Even if an unexpected situation occurs, the server computer 0 automatically collects data regarding the information terminal device 001.
It is possible to take it back to 03, notify the system administrator of the data, and prompt the analysis of the trouble.

These allow the user to access necessary data on the server computer even if the application is not installed in the information terminal device in advance. Further, since the mobile agent automatically searches for the application that refers to the data, the user does not need to know which application is required to refer to the data.

Since the data on the server computer and the application software for installing the data are temporarily installed on the information terminal by the mobile agent, the information terminal is disconnected from the network after the installation is completed. It is also possible to use it, it is possible to use it on an unstable network such as wireless, and it is also possible to reduce the connection cost of the network.

When the version of the application software necessary for referring to the data (content) occurs, the administrator of the server computer simply puts the latest application in the application software database, and the data ( The latest application is carried to the information terminal device and executed by the mobile agent when accessing (content).
Therefore, even when a version upgrade occurs, the user or system administrator does not need to perform maintenance such as application version upgrade of the information terminal device.

For the sake of explanation, it is assumed here that the user is an employee of a company that uses the server computer. In such cases, the user is limited to some extent on the type of data on the server computer,
The number of application software installed in advance can be limited to some extent.
However, assuming access to an unspecified server computer by an unspecified user such as the Internet, data (contents) stored in the server computer in advance is assumed.
It is difficult to install the application software for referencing to the terminal (PC) of one's own. Even in such a system, the application software distribution method using the mobile agent is effective.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the distributed network computing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same or corresponding portions as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the first embodiment, the case where the application software 009 is installed in the information terminal device 001 by the mobile agent 010 has been described, but in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the application execution monitoring unit 402 and the application execution monitoring unit 402 are installed in the mobile agent 010. File list 401
Add and delete the software (uninstall). Also, application installation means 012A
Include application deletion (uninstall) means in (application install / uninstall means).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the system according to this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Note that in the flowchart of FIG. 5, Yes in step S203
The processes after s are omitted because they are the same as the processes after step S203 in FIG.

Steps S201 to S20 of the first embodiment
3, S205 to S208, S212, and S213, when the user refers to the data in the server computer 003 and the application software necessary for referencing the data is not on the information terminal device 001, the mobile agent 010 is set. Issued and server computer 00
3 to data 014 and application software 0
15 is copied to the container 013, and the information terminal device 001
Install the necessary application software 015. When the mobile agent 010 installs the application software 015, a list of installed files and data is generated as an install file list 401 (step S3).
01).

After the generation of the list is completed, the application 009 is activated again as in steps S214 and S215 of the first embodiment, and the user uses the application software 009 to refer to the data. The mobile agent 010 does not terminate and remains in the agent server 011 and the application execution monitoring unit 402
Use to monitor the running status of applications installed and launched. Application software 0
When 09 is completed, the mobile agent 010 calls the install / uninstall means 012A and automatically deletes the application software 009 based on the information in the install file list 401.
(Uninstall) is performed (step S302).

When the information terminal device is a PDA, a mobile phone or the like, it is carried by the user, and the capacity of the memory or HDD is often small. Therefore, the types of application software that can be installed in advance are limited. Therefore, the types of data that can be accessed are also limited. Therefore, in this embodiment, by dynamically installing or uninstalling application software by the mobile agent, it is possible to refer to all kinds of data even in an information terminal device having a limited memory or HDD capacity. Becomes

Embodiment 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a distributed network computing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The same or corresponding portions as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Although the delivery of the application by the mobile agent has been described in the first and second embodiments,
In this embodiment, a function for checking the usage status of a user's application is added. In FIG. 6, information terminal device 00
1 is provided with an application execution history storage unit 601 on the mobile agent, and the server computer 00
In the third mobile agent server 011a, an application usage information storage unit 603 that receives execution history information from the application usage information database 602 and the mobile agent 010a and inputs data to the application usage information database 602 is provided.
Further, the information terminal 001 stores terminal owner information 604 such as a user ID.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the system according to this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. Note that in the flowchart of FIG. 7, Yes in step S203
The processes after s are omitted because they are the same as the processes after step S203 in FIG. Steps S201 to S20
3, the operations from S205 to S208, S212, S213, and steps S301 and S214 are the same as those in the second embodiment. The application software 009 installed by the user by the mobile agent 010
While using the agent, the agent 010 records the usage status (step S601). For example, the application execution monitoring unit 402 acquires the time from the time when the application is started to the time when the application is ended, the number of bytes of the input / output data, and the like, and records it in the execution history storage unit 601.

When the user finishes the work with the application 009, the mobile agent 010 uninstalls the installed application software 009 as in the second embodiment (step S3).
02). This allows the user to
Application 00 only if 10 is monitoring
9 available.

After the uninstallation is completed, the mobile agent 010 stores the usage information of the application software 009 and the owner information 604 of the information terminal device 001 collected in step S601 in the container 013, and the security unit of the mobile agent server 011. After encryption by 018, it moves to the server computer 003 via the network 002 (step S602). After moving to the mobile agent server 011a of the server computer 003, the mobile agent 010 in the server computer 003 decrypts the contents of the container 013 with the security unit 018, and through the application usage information storage unit 603, the owner information 604 and the application information The usage information is input to the application usage information database 602 (step S603).

As a result, the administrator of the server computer 003 can check the application usage information database 602.
It is possible to charge the usage fee to the owner of the information terminal device 001 according to the usage amount of the application on the Internet or the like. For example, conventionally, when a user called shareware downloads an application via a network and uses it on a trial basis, and the user agrees with the content of the application, the user voluntarily asks the creator of the application software to There is a form of software usage where you pay a fee. However, this usage form has no merit for the application creator unless the malicious application user pays the fee. If a system like this embodiment is used for this shareware system, the user can easily use various types of application software at low cost, and the application creator can actually use the application. It is possible to collect the fee according to the amount of money.

Fourth Embodiment 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a distributed network computing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same or corresponding portions as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the first embodiment, the operation when the application software 008 for the data (content) 014 referred to by the information terminal device 001 is not installed has been described, but the application software 008 is already installed on the information terminal device 001. The mobile agent 010 from the server computer 003
It is also possible to copy the application 015 by. As a result, the application software 008 on the information terminal device 001 can be automatically upgraded.

In order to realize this function, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the application version information list 901 is stored in the storage device 007 of the information terminal device 001.
To add. Application version information list 9
01, for example, as shown in FIG.
A list of all the application software 008 installed in, the version, and the corresponding data type that is the type of data (content) that can be referred to by the application are listed. Further, the application information 016 of the application software database 017 of the server computer 003 shown in FIG.
Add information indicating the version of the application as shown in.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the system according to this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. As in the first embodiment, the user selects the information terminal device 001
Server computer 003 using the browser etc. 005 of
To access data (contents) 014 such as a file on the server computer 003 to determine the data to be accessed (step S201). When the data to be accessed is determined, the information necessary for referring to the data, for example, the file extension is passed to the application detection unit 006. The application detection unit 006 searches for application software 008 already installed in the storage device 007 in the information terminal device 001 based on the information of the data (step S202).
If the process branches to NO in step S203, that is, if there is no application that refers to the data, the subsequent processes are the same as those in the first embodiment.

Even when the application software 008 necessary for referring to the data is already installed in the information terminal device 001 in step S203 and the information terminal device 001 is not normally connected to the network in step S220, The mobile agent 010 is generated (step S1101). The generated mobile agent 010 stores the format of data (content) 014 for accessing the container 014.
(Step S1102). Further, the application version information list 901 is accessed, and the application name required for data access and the current information terminal device 00
Install the version installed in 1 to container 01
4 is copied (stored) in step 4 (step S1103).

The mobile agent 010 moves to the server computer 003 (step S1104), retrieves the application information 016 of the server computer 003, and compares the application 008 and version of the information terminal device 001 with that of the application information 016 (step S1105). , S1106). If the application software 0 of the server computer 003
If the version 15 is the same as or older than the application software 008 on the information terminal device 001, the process proceeds to step S223, and only the data (content) 014 is copied as in the first embodiment, and the information The terminal device 001 displays the data (content) 014 to the user (steps S224 and S225).

If the application software 015 of the server computer 003 is newer, the process branches to YES in step S1106, and the mobile agent 010a copies the application software 015 and the data (content) 014 from the server computer 003 ( Steps S210 and S211), move to the information terminal device 001 (step S212), install application software 015, and update the application information list 901 (step S212).
213, S1107), and then the data is displayed (steps S214, S215).

By these operations, the user does not need to be aware of updating the version of the application software 008 of the information terminal device 001, and the application software can be updated when necessary such as referring to data. Therefore, the cost required for system management can be reduced.

Embodiment 5. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a distributed network computing system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The same or corresponding portions as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In this embodiment,
By combining the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, it is possible to automatically upgrade the application 008 on the information terminal device 001 from the server computer 003. In FIG. 12, application version information 901 is added to the information terminal device 001 in FIG. Further, an application change monitoring unit 1201 that monitors the update of the application information 016 is added to the server computer 003. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the system according to this embodiment. The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

The administrator of the distributed computing system registers the application software 015 in the application software database 017 of the server computer 003, and the application information 016 is updated accordingly (steps S1301 and S1).
302). The change in the application information 016 is detected by the application information update monitoring unit 1201. The application information monitoring unit 1201 notifies the mobile agent server 011a to generate and activate the mobile agent 010a (step S130).
3, S1304).

Activated mobile agent 010a
Receives information about the updated application from the application information update monitoring unit 1201, for example, application name, version number information, corresponding data type that can be referred to by the application, etc.
3a, and the updated application software 015 is copied to the container 013a (step S1305). Mobile Agent 01
0a searches the application usage information database 602 and updates the application software 01
The information regarding the information terminal device 001 which uses 5 is taken out (step S1306).

The mobile agent 010a moves to all the information terminal devices 010a described therein (step S1307), and installs the application 015 on each information terminal device 010 (step S1).
308), and further updates the application version information list 901 of the information terminal device 010 (step S1309).

If there are a plurality of information terminal devices 001 that need to be updated, the mobile agent 01
0a to the mobile agent server 011 as information terminal devices 001, 001a, 001b. ． ． Or each mobile terminal 010a generates a plurality of information terminal devices 001, 001a, 001b. ． ． 00
It is possible to deal with the problem by sequentially performing installation while sequentially moving 1n.

With this system, the mobile agent can automatically update or change the applications of all information terminal devices. Therefore, the administrator or user of the distributed network computer system does not need to notify or update the application of the applications of the plurality of information terminal devices, which can significantly reduce the system management cost. Become.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention, at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device that provides various application software and data services through a communication network to receive the service. A distributed network computing system,
A mobile agent server for providing the service is provided in each of the information processing device and the information terminal device, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent for storing and transferring the application software and data, and the information processing device and the information terminal device. Means for providing security between mobile devices, and means for providing the information processing device with application software and data for providing a service at the information terminal device to a mobile agent executed by the mobile agent server. And a means for dynamically installing and executing the application software provided from the information processing device by the mobile agent server on the information terminal device. Since the emission computing system, the user may not be installed in advance in the application the information terminal device, it is possible to access the required data on the server computer.

A distributed network computing system in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device that provides various application software and data services through a communication network to receive the service, The information processing device and the information terminal device are each provided with a mobile agent server for providing the service, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent that stores and transfers the application software and the mobile agent, and transfers the mobile agent to the information processing device and the information terminal device. In order to provide a service to the information processing device by the information terminal device, including means for moving the device with security between them, and including means for monitoring the execution of application software by the mobile agent. A means for providing application software and data to the mobile agent executed by the mobile agent server is provided, and the application software provided by the information processing apparatus by the mobile agent server is provided in the information terminal device by the execution monitoring means. The distributed network computing system is characterized by having means for dynamically installing, executing, and dynamically uninstalling based on information. By uninstalling, it becomes possible to refer to all kinds of data even in an information terminal device having a limited memory or HDD capacity.

A distributed network computing system in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device that provides various application software and data services through a communication network, and the service is provided, The information processing device and the information terminal device are each provided with a mobile agent server for providing the service, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent that stores and transfers the application software and the mobile agent, and transfers the mobile agent to the information processing device and the information terminal device. The mobile agent includes means for moving the application software with security between them, means for monitoring the execution of the application software by the mobile agent, and means for storing an execution history, A means for dynamically installing and executing application software provided from the information processing device by the agent server based on the information of the execution monitoring means and further dynamically uninstalling the software is provided in the information processing device. A means for providing application software and data for providing a service in the information terminal device to the mobile agent executed in the mobile agent server, and a usage status of the application software service in the information terminal device through the mobile agent. And means for storing,
Since it is a distributed network computing system characterized by that, the administrator of the server computer refers to the application usage information database, and charges the usage fee to the owner of the information terminal device according to the usage amount of the application on the Internet etc. It becomes possible to claim.

A distributed network computing system in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device that provides various application software and data services via a communication network and receives the service, A mobile agent server for providing the service is provided in each of the information processing device and the information terminal device, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent that stores and transfers the application software including version information and transfers the mobile agent. And a means for moving the information terminal device with security, the application software and data for providing a service in the information terminal device to the information processing device, and the mobile age. Application software provided by the information processing device in the mobile agent server to the information terminal device, and a means for providing the latest version, if any, based on the version information to the mobile agent executed by the mobile agent server. Since the distributed network computing system is characterized by having means for updating the application software by dynamically installing the software, the user can upgrade the version of the application software of the information terminal device. Since it is not necessary to consider the update of the application software and the application software can be updated when necessary such as referring to data, it is possible to reduce the cost required for system management.

A distributed network computing system in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device providing various application software and data services through a communication network to receive the service, The information processing device and the information terminal device are each provided with a mobile agent server for providing the service, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent that stores and transfers the application software and the mobile agent, and transfers the mobile agent to the information processing device and the information terminal device. A means for moving with security between the information terminal device and means for dynamically installing application software provided from the information processing device by the mobile agent server, Means for providing the information processing device with application software and data for providing a service by the information terminal device to a mobile agent executed by the mobile agent server; and means for monitoring the update of the application software. Means for registering the information terminal device using the application software, and when the application software is updated in the information processing device, the mobile agent previously installed in the information terminal device. Since the distributed network computing system is provided with means for updating the application software that is installed, the mobile agent can automatically update and change the applications of all information terminal devices. Therefore, the administrator or user of the distributed network computer system does not need to notify or update the application of a plurality of applications of the information terminal device, thereby reducing the system management cost. It is possible to reduce significantly.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distributed network computing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of application information according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distributed network computing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distributed network computing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distributed network computing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an application version information list of the information terminal device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration example of application information of a server computer according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distributed network computing system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a conceptual configuration of a conventional distributed network computing system.

[Explanation of symbols]

001, 001a, 001b Information terminal device, 002
Network (communication network), 003 server computer
(Information processing device), 004 Information terminal device information, 005
Browser, 006 Application search unit, 007
Storage device, 008 application software (installed on information terminal), 009 application software (running on information terminal), 010,010a
Mobile agent, 011, 011a Mobile agent server, 012 application installation means, 012A application installation /
Uninstalling means, 013 container, 014 data (content), 015 install type application software, 016 application information, 017 application software database, 018 security section, 019 access section, 0
20 agent continuation unit, 401 installation file list, 402 application execution monitoring unit, 6
01 application execution history storage unit, 602 application usage information database, 603 application usage information storage unit, 604 terminal owner information, 9
01 Application version information list, 120
1 Application change monitoring unit.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G06F 9/06 640A

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A distributed network computing system in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device that provides various application software and data services via a communication network to receive the service. A mobile agent server for providing the service is provided in the information processing device and the information terminal device, respectively, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent for storing and transferring the application software and data in the information processing device and the information terminal device. A mobile agent server that executes application software and data for providing a service at the information terminal device to the information processing device, including means for moving with security between them. Means for providing an agent agent, and means for dynamically installing and executing the application software provided from the information processing device by the mobile agent server on the information terminal device. Computing system. 2. A distributed network computing system in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device that provides various application software and data services through a communication network to receive the service. A mobile agent server for providing the service is provided in the information processing device and the information terminal device, respectively, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent for storing and transferring the application software and data in the information processing device and the information terminal device. In order to provide a service to the information processing device by the information terminal device, the mobile agent includes a means for moving with security between the information processing device and a means for monitoring the execution of the application software by the mobile agent. A means for providing application software and data to a mobile agent executed by the mobile agent server is provided, and the execution monitoring means for executing the application software provided by the information processing device by the mobile agent server on the information terminal device. A distributed network computing system comprising means for dynamically installing, executing, and dynamically uninstalling based on the information of. 3. A distributed network computing system in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device that provides various application software and data services via a communication network, and receives the service. A mobile agent server for providing the service is provided in the information processing device and the information terminal device, respectively, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent for storing and transferring the application software and data in the information processing device and the information terminal device. Means for moving with security between them, means for monitoring the execution of the application software by the mobile agent and means for storing the execution history, and the information terminal device to the mobile terminal. A means for dynamically installing and executing the application software provided from the information processing device by the gent server based on the information of the execution monitoring means, and further dynamically uninstalling the information is provided in the information processing device. A means for providing application software and data for providing a service in a terminal device to a mobile agent executed in the mobile agent server, and a use status of the application software service in the information terminal device is stored through the mobile agent. A distributed network computing system, comprising: 4. A distributed network computing system, wherein at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device for providing various application software and data services via a communication network to receive the service. A mobile agent server for providing the service is provided in each of the information processing device and the information terminal device, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent that stores and transfers the application software including version information and the mobile agent for transferring the mobile agent. And a means for securely moving between the information terminal devices, the application software and data for providing a service in the information terminal device to the information processing device, and the mobile agent. Means for providing the latest version, if any, based on the version information to the mobile agent executed by the information server, and providing the information terminal device with the application software provided from the information processing device on the mobile agent server. A distributed network computing system comprising means for updating the application software by dynamically installing the software. 5. A distributed network computing system in which at least one information terminal device is connected to an information processing device that provides various application software and data services via a communication network to receive the service. A mobile agent server for providing the service is provided in the information processing device and the information terminal device, respectively, and the mobile agent server stores a mobile agent for storing and transferring the application software and data in the information processing device and the information terminal device. A means for moving with security between the information terminal device and means for dynamically installing application software provided from the information processing device in the mobile agent server, An information processing device, means for providing application software and data for providing a service at the information terminal device to a mobile agent executed by the mobile agent server, and means for monitoring an update of the application software, Means for registering the information terminal device using the application software, and previously installed in the information terminal device by the mobile agent when the application software is updated in the information processing device. A means for updating application software, and a distributed network computing system.